The world football governing body FIFA has decided to allow private investors to buy shares in its competitions, and the idea has drawn widespread criticism, even leading to Europeans threatening to boycott football tournaments, writes the BBC.
FIFA announced on the 28th of July a proposal to transfer the federation’s commercial operations to private entities, reports Politico. The main investor is Thrive Capital, a company owned by Josh Kushner. He is the brother of US President Donald Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner. Trump’s son-in-law has faced criticism in Europe over his plan to build a resort in Albania, on the Adriatic coast.
The main European football body UEFA has unanimously decided to boycott the World Cup if FIFA does not reverse its decision to offer shares for privatization. The plan was also rejected by the North and Central American football governing body Concacaf. UEFA said the World Cup should not be seen as an investment project and no part of it should be handed over to private investors: “The World Cup is not for sale.”
FIFA responded by saying that distorted media reports had disrupted a planned consultation process with football organisations to ensure that all the facts were presented and all views were heard. The federation insisted that no one was looking to sell football –
FIFA simply wanted to create a commercial subsidiary responsible for major football events,
including the World Cup, and investors would be able to buy parts of it. Third parties would make a small contribution that would not give them full control.
FIFA would need to get the support of a majority of the 211 member associations to implement the idea of private investors, but this is not the case in Europe. Although UEFA has only 55 members, the countries that represent it have won the majority of the World Cups. UEFA said in a statement: “The FIFA World Cup belongs to football. It always will. And so long as Europe has a voice, it will never be for sale.”
European Union Sports Commissioner Glenn Micallef wrote on the X that he welcomed UEFA’s announcement and fully supported it. On the 29th of July, Micallef threatened to launch an investigation into FIFA’s proposal for possible breaches of competition law.
Although the next men’s World Cup is not due for another four years, the U-20 World Cup in September could be the first test of UEFA’s commitment to boycott FIFA tournaments.
Politico reported on the 29th of July that several UEFA officials are planning to nominate an opposition candidate to replace current FIFA president Gianni Infantino, whose term ends next year.
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